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Thursday, November 21, 2013

UNC Charlotte Conference on Student-Veteran Transition Draws More than 200

By Latricia Boone

This week,
UNC Charlotte hosted its first-ever full-day conference focused on increasing
cultural sensitivity as it relates to student veterans and how best to
support their success as they assimilate into the college environment. The conference,
Boots to Books: Understanding Military
Culture and Supporting a Successful Transition, drew more than 200
individuals from the campus and greater Charlotte community.

College of Health & Human Services Dean

Nancy Fey-Yensan welcomed attendees

At the heart
of UNC Charlotte’s founding, supporting student veterans has long been part of
the University culture and its commitment as a military friendly institution.
Over the years, the University has underscored this commitment by investing in the necessary resources to better serve the needs of student
veterans and their families.

This week’s event was another
opportunity to engage the larger community and share information and resources as
well as hear from student veterans on what their experience has been and how
they would like to be supported. Currently, about 800 UNC Charlotte students
are using some form of military benefits to pay for their education. The conference brought national and
local speakers and included a panel discussion with current students who are
veterans.

As part of the
panel discussion, the students’ shared their unique perspectives and talked
about the successes and challenges they’ve faced transitioning from military
culture to college life. Hearing from the students, it became clear that not
only is the University playing an integral role in their success but these
students, who bring very unique experiences and skill sets, play an integral role
in the University -- from student life to academic endeavors to their
intellectual contribution both in and out of the classroom.

While each
panelist came from different walks of life and brought different perspectives,
they all emphasized how the University’s support has helped to ease their
transition. The University’s Office of Student Veterans Services (VSSO) has
played an important role in those efforts. The VSSO provides one-on-one
consultations for student veterans and collaborates with community
organizations to better serve and bring awareness of veteran challenges, both
on campus and in the larger community.

Student-veterans discussed transitions from military to campus

Allison Jenner, assistant director for Veteran Student Services, gave an informative
presentation on the role of the VSSO and how the office not only supports students, but also
faculty, in terms of their knowledge and understanding of how to best
communicate and engage with their veteran students. Jenner’s presentation also
discussed strategies for success across the University and touched on common misconceptions,
such as what it means to have post traumatic distress order (PSTD) and how to
best communicate with those who do. The student panelists and speakers emphasized
the fact that not all student veterans suffer from PSTD but even those who do
can acclimate successfully with the right support systems in place.

In addition
to speakers and the panel, attendees took part in a “support services” vendor
fair and an art exhibit highlighting the work of Robert Bates, a veteran and
student at the University.

Funded by a grant from the UNC Charlotte
Chancellor’s Diversity Challenge Fund, Boots to Books was sponsored by the College of
Health and Human Services’ Department of Social Work in partnership with the
UNC Charlotte Office of Veterans Student Services, Mecklenburg County Community
Support Services, and Charlotte Bridge Home.

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Latricia Bone is the communications director for the Colleges of Education and Health & Human Services

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